Claim: A viral TikTok audio allegedly features Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP presidential candidate, calling Ghanaians weak-minded and promising to deceive them into winning the upcoming election.
Verdict: False.
Explanation
The Ghana Fact-checking Coalition compared the viral TikTok audio to five of Mr Bawumia’s past YouTube speeches and it revealed significant discrepancies. The audio features unnatural pitch variations and a polished accent that diverges from his typical speaking style, suggesting manipulation. The Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector tool also rated the audio as 80 per cent likely to be a deepfake. Experts from the Ghana Fact-checking Coalition concluded that the audio likely stems from voice-cloning technology, such as Resemble AI, which can generate synthetic speech from text scripts.
Ghana will go to the polls on December 7, 2024, seeking to consolidate a democracy that has been the envy of many African countries. One of the candidates seeking the people’s mandate is John Dramani Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
He is no stranger to Ghana’s politics. By far the most experienced of the 12 candidates in the December elections, John Mahama seeks to return to a position he vacated eight years ago after losing power to the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a no-contest election on Oct. 13, 2023, the National Democratic Congress voted for John Mahama to be re-elected as the party’s flagbearer in this year’s (2024) elections. He polled over 98% of the votes cast by the delegates.
Described by his supporters as the ‘nation builder,’ John Mahama remains the candidate who stands between the NPP and an ambition to break the eight. He remains poised to scuttle that ambition with a clarion call to the people of Ghana to help reset an economy he believes has been thrown into shambles by the NPP.
With him is a promise of a 24-hour economic policy that would stimulate growth and help propel the country’s economy back on track.
Touted as a communicator par excellence, ex-president John Mahama is responsible for convincing the citizens to return to the NDC and him, whom they rejected in 2016 and 2020. But the grass is greener, and the soil softer in 2024. No party has broken the eight. And the party that seeks to do so always has a mountain of corruption allegations to deal with, strangling economic challenges to contend with as happened to Jerry John Rawlings’ NDC government in 2000, Kufuor’s NPP government in 2008, Atta Mills’ and John Mahama’s NDC government in 2016 and now to Akufo-Addo’s NPP government in 2024.
Mahama’s Credentials
John Mahama is perhaps the country’s most decorated political officeholder. He started his primary education at Achimota Basic School and then continued at Ghana Secondary School in Tamale.
Mahama obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Ghana in 1981. He started teaching at his old school, Ghana Secondary School.
He also obtained a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana. He did not stop there; in 1988, he returned to the Institute of Social Science in Moscow, Russia, where he earned a degree in Social Psychology.
After completing his studies, Mr Mahama came to Ghana to serve his country. He joined the Japanese Embassy in 1995. There, he was in charge of research affairs and culture. He served as a foreign affairs officer at Plan International in Ghana.
Mr John Mahama was born into politics. His father, Mr Emmanuel Adama Mahama, was a legislator for the Gonja West constituency. His father worked as the first district governor under Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The former legislator began his political career in Bole Bamboi, where he was a parliamentary candidate in elections. He was the Member of Parliament for the Bole Bamboi community from 1996 to 2004.
In 1997, John Mahama was Deputy Minister of State for National Communications in President John Rawlings’s administration. He became the Director General of the Institute of National Communications from 1998 to 2001.
From 2001 to 2005, Mahama was the communications spokesperson for the minority in parliament and then became the foreign affairs spokesperson from 2005 to 2008.
John Mahama was named running mate to former President John Evans Atta Mills, the flag bearer in the 2008 elections, and became vice president on Jan 7, 2009.
When Atta Mills died on July 24, 2012, he was sworn in as President of Ghana until re-elected in the Dec. 7, 2012 elections. In the 2016 elections, Mahama lost his position as president after a mammoth defeat to President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Former President Mahama has written many books, including My First Coup D’Etat: Memories From the Lost Decades of Africa,’ which he released in 2022.
Experience
The NDC leader comes to the table with a towering level of experience, having occupied the highest position in the country for at least four years. A man with a calm demeanour, ex-president John Mahama’s resolve to an issue-based politics is never in doubt. In his first tenure, Mahama became synonymous with development projects, including health facilities, roads, and education. For the many who demand a return to John Mahama, questions are asked about his ability to keep the lights on during his tenure and to manage the economy in a way that would not engender another to return to the IMF.
Thus far, the affable communicator has shared his commitment to reset and rebuild the country and hold the former government officers accountable for the many allegations of corruption.
What dominates Ghana’s political discourse is who will win the election on December 7, 2024.
Claim: A user on X, Political Warden (@khkayy27), has posted a video with the claim that NPP’s Patrick Yaw Boamah encouraged the people of Fadama to vote for the NDC’s John Mahama and back him (Patrick Boamah) personally.
Verdict: False. Patrick Boamah did not encourage the people of Fadama to vote for the NDC presidential candidate and himself. DUBAWA found out that the video’s original sound had been tampered with.
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A user on X, Political Warden, posted a video of the Member of Parliament for the Okaikwei Central Constituency, Patrick Yaw Boamah, with the caption, “So some NPP MPs are preaching skirt and blouse. I just saw this video somewhere.”
The 50-second video posted on November 28 has gotten over 19,500 views. The audio in the video indicated that Mr Boamah encouraged people to vote for the opposition’s flag bearer alongside himself (skirt and blouse).
The exact words in the video are, “While campaigning in Fadama, where his support is less Robust, Boamah took a unique approach. He encouraged residents to vote for their preferred candidate, John Mahama, while also asking them to back him personally, not his party’s flag bearer, Dr Bawumia, who is Muslim. When residents brought up critical issues like unemployment and water shortage, he shifted the conversation, urging them to vote for whoever they like…”
Most comments on the post were sceptical about the video’s originality. DUBAWA has decided to conduct a fact check to confirm its veracity.
Verification
The first suggestion that the video may have been fabricated or manipulated was the voice-over. The voice sounded like an AI-generated voice, and some phrases, such as “Patrick Boamah” and “Dr. Bawumia,” were not pronounced correctly.
DUBAWA picked clues like “Fadama” and scenes of Mr Boamah shaking hands with people who looked like traditional leaders to conduct a thorough Google search. Through the search, DUBAWA found the original video and manipulated one on the Active TV gh page on Facebook.
The video, 2 minutes and 6 seconds long, was originally posted on Aug. 4, 2024, by the page on Facebook and was taken at the New Fadama at 60 celebrations earlier this year.
After watching the video, DUBAWA realised Mr Boamah had not encouraged people to vote for the NDC’s John Mahama. Rather, the interviewer from Active TV asked Mr Boamah what he had to say about New Fadama being 60 years old. In response, he congratulated the community’s chiefs and proposed an endowment fund to support future projects.
Additionally, the interviewer asked what Boamah had to tell the youth of the Zongo community since it is an election year, and he emphasised that not only the Zongo youth but all youth, including Christians, should comport themselves to promote peaceful elections.
Thus, parts of this video were cut and manipulated with an AI voiceover to misinform the public.
Conclusion
The claim that Patrick Yaw Boamah has encouraged “skirt and blouse” in the upcoming elections is false.
This report was produced under the DUBAWA “Combating Election Misinformation and Disinformation in Ghana’s 2024 Elections” Project aimed at promoting a culture of truth and verification ahead of the 2024 General Elections with support from the Federal Republic of Germany in Ghana.
Ghana’s Works and Housing minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has urged the electorate to retain the country’s governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December polls.
The lawmaker said John Mahama, the ex-Ghanaian leader and the 2024 flagbearer of the country’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), did not deserve another chance because he had ruined the economy.
“During President Mahama’s tenure four years as President, actually four and a half years, he reduced growth from the 9% that he took down to about 3.4%… When Akufo-Addo and Bawumia assumed office, we moved growth from 3.4% to about 8.5% in the very first 12 months,” Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said.
See minutes 12:07 to 12:26 of the video posted on YouTube for the minister’s comment about Mr Mahama.
The social media data revealed that the video was viewed over 14,213 times as of Nov. 27, 2024.
DUBAWA has fact-checked the legislator’s claims about the country’s former President.
Claim 1: Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Ghana’s Housing minister, claimed John Mahama, the ex-Ghanaian President and 2024 NDC flagbearer, reduced the country’s economic growth rate from the 9% he inherited to 3.4% at the end of Dec. 2016.
Verdict: Misleading. DUBAWA’s investigations showed that the ex-Ghanaian leader John Mahama did not leave a 3.4% economic growth rate, as the lawmaker alleged. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data published in 2017 and 2018 revealed the country’s economic growth rate in 2016 was 3.7%, not 3.4%.
Verification
DUBAWA’s research showed that the ex-Ghanaian leader John Mahama did not leave a 3.4% economic growth rate, as the lawmaker alleged.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data published in 2017 and 2018 revealed the country’s economic growth rate in 2016 was 3.7%, not 3.4%.
DUBAWA’s investigation shows that the economic growth rate was 3.4% in 2016. However, World Bank data confirmed that it changed to 3.7% after rebasing the economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has defined rebasing as “the process by which constant price aggregates are updated using the prices of a more recent period.”
In April 2018, the GSS said the “Provisional GDP estimates for 2017 showed a growth rate of 8.5 per cent compared to 3.7 per cent in 2016.”
See paragraph 4 of page 3 of the GSS report titled ‘Provisional 2017 Annual Gross Domestic Product’ here.
Also, in the Sept. 2017 edition of the GSS report on Ghana’s economy, the body said the “Revised GDP estimates for 2016 showed a growth rate of 3.7 per cent compared to 3.8 per cent in 2015.”
See paragraph 4 of page 3 of the GSS report dubbed ‘Revised 2016 Annual Gross Domestic Product’ here.
Conclusion
Ex-Ghanaian leader John Mahama left a 3.7% economic growth rate in Dec. 2016, not 3.4% as the legislator alleged.
Claim 2: Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Ghana’s Housing minister, claimed President Nana Akufo-Addo moved the country’s economic growth rate from the 3.4% he inherited to about 8.5% in the first 12 months.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s probe showed President Nana Akufo-Addo did not grow Ghana’s economy from a 3.4% growth rate in 2016 to 8.5% in 2017, as the minister alleged. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data published in 2019 revealed the country’s economic growth rate was 8.1% in 2017, not 8.5%. Also, World Bank data has confirmed that Ghana’s economic growth rate was 8.1% in 2017, not 8.5%.
Verification
DUBAWA’s probe showed President Nana Akufo-Addo did not grow Ghana’s economy from a 3.4% growth rate to 8.5% within 12 months, as the minister alleged.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data published in 2019 revealed the country’s economic growth rate was 8.1% in 2017, not 8.5%.
In its April 2019 report, the GSS said the “Provisional GDP estimates for 2018 showed a growth rate of 6.3 per cent compared to 8.1 per cent in 2017.”
See paragraph 4 of page 3 of the GSS report dubbed ‘Rebased 2013-2018 Annual Gross Domestic Product’ here.
Also, World Bank data has confirmed that Ghana’s economic growth rate was 8.1% in 2017, not 8.5%.
Conclusion
President Nana Akufo-Addo did not grow Ghana’s economy from a 3.4% growth rate in 2016 to 8.5% in 2017, as the minister alleged.
Claim: Social media users have shared viral videos that allegedly show the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) mocking voters and promoting violence.
Verdict: False.The audio accompanying the New Patriotic Party (NPP) campaign videos and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are not genuine representations of the parties’ messaging. DUBAWA’s checks revealed that the audios were not affiliated with either political party. Instead, they were traced to videos Ghanaian actor Kwaku Manu created, which were shared on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob.
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Two videos, purportedly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign trails, are trending on social media. Both videos feature campaign trucks with the same attached audio, allegedly making fun of voters and promoting violence.
The videos have gained significant attention and have been widely shared. Alfred Ogbamey shared footage featuring an NPP campaign truck on Facebook, while George Kwarteng Adenta published another showing an NDC campaign truck on Facebook. Social media users who viewed the videos have criticised the parties for disrespecting citizens.
With the elections just days away and the potential for these videos to harm the reputation of either party, DUBAWA has decided to investigate the claims.
Verification
DUBAWA first transcribed the audio from Twi to English to understand the context. The transcription reads: “We are still campaigning. To be honest, if you choose to vote for us, it’s your decision. However, if you decide not to, take your ‘stupidity’ away.”
The fact-check aims to determine whether the audio in the videos is genuine and to find its original source.
Our checks revealed that the videos of the two political parties are not linked to the audio attached to them. Further checks confirmed that the audio originates from a popular Ghanaian actor, Kwaku Manu. It can be found on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob. The original version of the video is an extended clip lasting one minute and three seconds.
A similar video has been spotted on jeneral_ntatia‘s TikTok account. In it, he is also seen using the same megaphone and making remarks similar to those made by Kwaku Manu.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s checks revealed that the audio attached to the NPP and NDC campaign videos does not authentically represent either party’s messaging. Instead, the audio was traced to a video created by popular Ghanaian actor Kwaku Manu, with the original video available on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob.
Claim: Multiple sources claimed Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of Ghana’s opposition NDC, has asked the country’s ex-President John Kufuor to “shut up” after he encouraged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigation showed Sammy Gyamfi did not make the alleged comment. Reacting to the claim on X on Nov. 14, 2024, the private legal practitioner described it as “fake.” Also, Accra-based Class FM, the alleged originator of the claim on the flyer, has disputed it.
Full Text
Multiple sources claimed Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the country’s ex-President John Kufuor to “shut up” after he encouraged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 2024 flagbearer.
The ex-Ghanaian leader believes the Presidential candidate who towers over the pack in this area is Dr Bawumia, the ruling NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.
“We need somebody like him [Dr Bawumia] who understands modern trends in global affairs, as well as technology and digitalisation. These are the trends in developed countries like America and others,” Mr Kufuor said.
See the news report on the interview here, here, and here.
A screenshot of the flyer making the rounds on social media in Ghana
Less than 24 hours after the interview’s broadcast, Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC National Communication Officer, reportedly called out Mr Kufuor for his comments.
“Shut up in your wheelchair. You will go to jail when Mahama is sworn in,” Mr Gyamfi reportedly told the ex-Ghanaian leader.
The claim was on a flyer with the logo of Accra-based Class FM.
“Ashantis [residents of Ashanti] must punish John Mahama for this.”
The social media platform said that as of Nov. 15, 2024, the X user’s post had received over 161,945 views, 482 comments, 156 reposts, 1,943 likes, and 39 bookmarks.
Also, reacting to the claim on X (formerly Twitter), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a suspended NDC member, wrote on Nov. 15, 2024, said,
“Such impetuous abrasive arrogance and disrespect!!! Is this what they want power for??? Father, forgive them for they know not what they are saying.”
The social media data revealed Mr Anyidoho’s post on X had, as of Nov. 15, 2024, received over 216,934 views, 219 reposts, 2,432 likes, 561 comments, and 56 bookmarks.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to its virality in the West African country.
Verification
DUBAWA’s investigation showed Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, did not make the alleged comment.
Commenting on the widely circulated claim on X on Nov. 14, 2024, Mr Gyamfi described it as “fake.”
The private legal practitioner later reacted to Mr Anyidoho’s X post on Nov. 15, 2024, claiming he had not “made any such comment anywhere.”
He replied,
“I didn’t know that you were this naive not [to] know fake news when you see one. Clearly, your bitterness against the NDC and people like me has blinded you to the truth. For your information, I have not made any such comment anywhere. Do your checks and spare yourself this embarrassment. Conveyor of FAKE NEWS. Disgraceful!”
Also, Accra-based Class FM, the alleged originator of the claim on the flyer, has disputed it.
The media outlet told DUBAWA it did not create the fact card that has gone viral on social media in the country.
Similarly, DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no credible media outlet in Ghana has reported on the claim.
With less than 22 days to the general election in Ghana, the alleged claim would have dominated discussions and headlines in the country if Mr Gyamfi had said it.
However, no such data supports the claim that Mr Gyamfi had asked the country’s second President in the Fourth Republic, Mr Kufuor, to “shut up” and reserve his comments about the nation’s governance to himself.
Conclusion
Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, has not told the country’s ex-president, John Kufuor, to “shut up” after openly endorsing the ruling NPP’s 2024 candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Claim: Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, asserted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) uses Muslims for votes and suggested that it would be “haram” (an abomination) for any Muslim living in Dagbon to support the party. His comments have drawn widespread criticism, with many condemning them as divisive and inflammatory.
Verdict: True! DUBAWA’s checks showed that during a campaign tour in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in Dagbon and vote for the NDC would be sinning according to Islamic law. The statements have been confirmed as accurate based on video evidence.
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A recent statement by Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate for the 2024 elections, has sparked widespread discussion across social media.
During his visit to Yaa Naa Bukali Mahama II, Overlord of Dagbon in Yendi in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in the community and vote for the NDC would be committing haram (an abomination).
There has been a raging controversy over whether the vice presidential candidate made such a comment. There are also assertions that the comment was limited to Muslims who live in Dagbon.
Here are some of the comments;
However, comments on social media after NAPO’s speech are quoting “Muslims” who vote for the NDC will be committing haram, instead of “Muslims who live in Dagbon,” like NAPO originally said.
Reacting to NAPO’s speech, an X user, with the handle @KyeiMeshack, commented on Nov. 8, 2024:
“Running mate of the NPP, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), stated that if you’re a Muslim and you vote for the NDC, it is a haram.”
Additionally, a media outlet on X page, with the handle @UTVGhana, captioned NAPO’s speech, “If You Are A Muslim And You Vote For NDC, It Is Haram” – NAPO.”
Another media outlet on X page, with the handle @YopooNews, quoted the video of NAPO’s visit to the Overlord of Dagbon; “According to NAPO, if you’re a Muslim and you vote for NDC, it’s haram.”
The video being circulated transcribes as, “If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint, and you vote for NDC, it is a haram,” indicating that the message NAPO put across during his visit to the Overlord of Dagbon, was directed to the Muslims living in Dagbon and not all Muslims in Ghana.
Due to the sensitive nature of the comment and the attendant controversy, DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA analysed recent footage from a campaign rally in Dagbon in the Northern Region on Nov. 8, 2024, and can confirm that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, indeed incited Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for the opposition NDC.
“If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint and you vote for NDC, it is a haram.”
He called on the Muslim communities to stand with the NPP to transform their lives.
“By this, if you are an Imam and you pray for John Dramani Mahama to become President instead of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, it is a haram. NDC only uses Muslims for votes,” NAPO added.
Here is a breakdown of the statements:
1. Claim of “Haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for NDC
During his speech, Dr Opoku Prempeh described it as “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC, positioning his statement within religious terms to appeal to the Muslim electorate.
“So if you are a young person here, and you want a future for yourself, you want people to recognise where you come, and you come from Larabanga, God has already blessed you. You need the right leader. You need the right leader to make Larabanga and Damango what they should become.
“And that leader is nobody but Abu Jinapor and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. It is possible.” Listen from 3:12 to 3:48.
Conclusion
The claim that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh declared it “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC is true. Footage and records from his rally in the Northern Region substantiate these claims.
Claim: A viral WhatsApp post claimed that Former President John Dramani Mahama is distributing campaign funds of GHS500 to Ghanaians.
Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s findings revealed that the link is phishing. Also, a recent post on John Dramani Mahama’s verified Facebook page highlighted a screenshot describing the circulating message as “Fake!”
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In less than a month, Ghana will head to the polls for the ninth time since 1992 to elect its President and Members of Parliament. Campaigns are getting heated by the day, with some people taking advantage of the season to spread disinformation and fraudulent schemes.
A post circulating on WhatsApp claims that former President John Dramani Mahama is distributing GHS500 in campaign funds to Ghanaians during the Dec. 7, 2024, general elections.
The post is captioned “John Dramani Mahama 500GHS Campaign Funds for Ghanaians,” and instructs potential beneficiaries to click an accompanying link to receive the money. The alleged scheme has been shared widely across multiple WhatsApp groups in Ghana.
A click on the link displays a campaign flyer for John Dramani Mahama with the text, “… John Dramani Mahama is giving out 500 GHS to everyone in Ghana for president of Ghana for the second time.”
The link further directs potential beneficiaries to answer questions, select a “gift box” option, and share the link with five WhatsApp groups or fifteen individual contacts to receive the money.
Screenshots of viral messages shared by some WhatsApp users in group chat
DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim in its efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation and promote responsible media consumption, particularly in this period of elections in Ghana.
Verification
DUBAWA followed the link and each prompt to verify this claim, selecting the first option at each stage. After four question prompts, the fact-checker was asked to choose a “gift box” from multiple options.
The message “better luck next time” appeared on the first attempt, and the fact-checker was informed that there were “two extra chances” to attempt. On the second attempt, the fact-checker was notified of winning GHS500.
However, receiving the prize was contingent upon sharing the link with 5 WhatsApp groups or 15 individual contacts. This raised suspicion, as this tactic is commonly associated with phishing and scam tactics intended to gather information or spread the link widely.
Further, the researcher thoroughly reviewed all official social media accounts associated with John Mahama and his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). No reference to a GHS500 campaign fund scheme could be found on Mahama’s verified social media platforms or on official party pages.
Also, a post on John Dramani Mahama’s verified Facebook page (dated Nov. 10, 2024, and screenshotted four hours later) highlighted a screenshot of the circulating message, marked with a “fake” stamp, alongside a caption, “Fake!!” clearly warning the public that the information was fraudulent.
Screenshot of John Mahama’s disclaimer as posted on Facebook. Image source: Facebook.
Additionally, prominent individuals connected to Mahama, such as his aide Joyce Bawa Mogtari and other NDC party executives, have not shared any information about this purported fund distribution. The lack of any credible source backing the distribution indicates that the link is likely fraudulent.
Consequently, it would be highly improbable for a prominent opposition candidate, John Mahama, who has previously held the high office of President of the Republic of Ghana and is deemed to have a fair grasp of election regulations, to conduct such a scheme openly.
On March 22, 2023, Mahama publicly launched a fundraising initiative to garner voluntary financial contributions from supporters to support his ongoing campaign. Thus, it would be inconsistent for Mahama to run a fundraiser for his campaign while offering monetary incentives.
Conclusion
Based on DUBAWA’s findings, the claim that John Dramani Mahama distributes GHS 500 to Ghanaians through a WhatsApp link is false.
This report was produced under the DUBAWA “Combating Election Misinformation and Disinformation in Ghana’s 2024 Elections” Project aimed at promoting a culture of truth and verification ahead of the 2024 General Elections with support from the Federal Republic of Germany in Ghana.
Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s advanced Google image search reveals that the photo has been digitally altered to serve a particular agenda ahead of the elections. DUBAWA’s further checks confirm that the original photo, uploaded to Jane Naana’s Facebook page, shows the NDC’s number 8 column marked rather than the altered image.
During her address to a diverse group of artisans, including hairdressers, beauticians, tailors, traditional healers, and glaziers, Professor Naana outlined key points from the NDC manifesto.
She discussed the National Apprenticeship Programme, the Women’s Development Bank, and the feasibility of the popular 24-Hour Economy initiative.
An account allegedly belonging to Allotey Jacobs, with the handle @jacobs_allotey, shared the image with the caption “May God be Praised.” By Nov. 2, 2024, the image had gathered over 29,000 views, 53 retweets, and more than 300 likes.
Likewise, a pro-NPP account on X, TESCON-KNUST, with the handle @tescon_knust, also shared the manipulated version on Nov. 1, 2024, with the caption: “Vote number 1 by their running mate. Vote Dr. Bawumia.”
Given its potential to mislead the public, DUBAWA verified the photo’s origin and accuracy.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a reverse image search using Google, which revealed that the original image did not show a thumbprint in the NPP’s first column.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang educates artisans on voting procedures for the upcoming elections, showing the NDC’s marked slot at number 8 on the ballot during her visit to the GNAT Hall in Subin, Kumasi, on October 28, 2024. The photo was posted a day after, October 29, 2024, on her Facebook page.
The post also included images of her alongside Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu and NDC officials, including Regional Secretary Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the GNAT Hall in Subin.
Conclusion
The viral image of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang purportedly endorsing the NPP is doctored. DUBAWA’s investigation confirms that the image was altered to create a false impression to influence public perception ahead of the Dec. 7, 2024, elections.
Claim: A viral flyer claims Ghana’s ex-President John Mahama has said that it is typical of the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions” in his response to some questions Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia posed.
Verdict: DUBAWA’s checks showed the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential candidate, John Mahama, did not make the alleged claim. Reacting to this on X, Beatrice Annan, Mahama’s Deputy Spokesperson, labelled the claim “fake news.” Also, Tamale-based Radio Tamale, the flyer’s alleged originator, has disclaimed it.
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A viral flyer claims Ghana’s ex-President John Mahama has said that it is typical of people from the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions” in his response to some questions Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia posed.
While on a campaign trail, the ex-Ghanaian leader posed five questions to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 2024 Presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
However, Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Bawumia, replied with 50 questions for Mr Mahama, including what his government did to promote the country’s creative arts and tourism.
Less than 24 hours after the exchanges between the two political leaders, a viral flyer making the rounds on WhatsApp in the country alleged that Mr Mahama had described Dr Bawumia’s attitude as typical of the Akan group who “answer questions with questions.”
A screenshot of the viral flyer making the rounds in Ghana
“It is typical of Akans to answer Questions with Questions. The Bawumia I know is a Northern, so why is he behaving like a villager?” the ex-Ghanaian leader reportedly quizzed.
The viral flyer featured the logo of the Tamale-based media outlet Radio Tamale, which purportedly created it.
The Akan are Ghana’s largest ethnic group. They inhabit the Ashanti, Eastern, Central, and parts of the country’s Western Region. The Akan language has several variations, including Asante Twi, Akyem, and Fante.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in West African countries.
Verification
DUBAWA’s investigations showed that John Mahama, the 2024 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), did not make the alleged claim.
Reacting to this on X (formerly Twitter), Mahama’s Deputy Spokesperson Beatrice Annan labelled the claim “fake news.”
“John Mahama never uttered these words. Disregard the fake news with the utmost contempt it deserves,” the private legal practitioner wrote on Oct. 31, 2024.
Also, Tamale-based media outlet Radio Tamale, the flyer’s alleged originator, has disclaimed it.
Speaking to DUBAWA on the subject matter, Robicon Mornahson, an editor with the media outlet, said, “It (the flyer) is not coming from us.”
“We have released a disclaimer on that because it is not coming from us. We did not create that flyer,” the editor with Radio Tamale said.
The results of DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no reputable media outlet in the West African country has published reports on the allegation.
Given the interest generated by the exchanges between the leaders of Ghana’s two predominant political parties in the media, including social media, a claim allegedly made by Mr Mahama would have attracted attention.
However, as of Nov. 1, 2024, no data online supports the claim that the ex-Ghanaian leader has described the Akan as a group of people who “answer questions with questions.”
DUBAWA later contacted some social media users who shared the flyer to find out their source, but they have yet to respond to the inquiry.
Conclusion
John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 presidential candidate, did not say that it is typical of the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions.”
